Announcement

Before I start my sharing I would like to ask you a question. Have you ever noticed the abundance of foods for sale on the streets in Mong Kok.

Curry fish balls are cheap and tasty and covered in so much sauce that you can’t actually taste what it is supposed to be. A staple in Hong Kong since the 1950s, so lacking in their key ingredient are today’s fish balls, that they are close to having to drop the fish from their name. 20% apparently, is the magic number, and whatever the remaining 80% consists of, it is probably best that no one actually knows.

The next food I want to mention is Stinky Tofu, I think more of us do not like to eat it, and for me I have tried it only once, it stinks but actually tastes good. For many people, stinky tofu is the smell of Mong Kok. Head to Dundas Street on any given evening and before you even turn the corner you can smell it – that rancid, sweaty stench, floating over the crowds. As the great Ron Burgundy once said, “It stings the nostrils.” The result of a fermentation process that involves, among other things, milk, fish and meat, and can last up to a couple of months, stinky tofu is actually a lot better tasting than it smells. Though that isn’t saying much.

Usually fried in Hong Kong and served with sweet or chill sauce, stinky tofu is a Hong Kong street food classic. Try it, if you haven’t already, you might like it.

Without doubt egg waffle is my favourite, egg waffles have been a feature of Hong Kong street life since the 1950s and are still one of the most popular Hong Kong street snacks. Ideally fluffy on the inside, freshly grilled and not too crispy, each vendor claims their own secret recipe, but essentially, the waffles are made from a kind of pancake batter poured into a specially shaped mould and heated until done. Aside from the traditional yellow egg balls, chocolate, strawberry, sesame and other flavours can now be found at some of the larger stalls, though as ever, original is always best.

After listening to my favourite street foods, have I convinced you to try them?